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Former Va. ABC employee sues authority, claiming retaliatory termination
A former Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority employee has filed a federal lawsuit against the state authority, alleging his termination last year was in retaliation for reporting alleged harassment and discrimination due to his sexual orientation. Paul Watson, a former ABC senior business analyst who identifies as gay, claims in the lawsuit he was “targeted” […]
UVA Health, VCU Health halt gender-affirming treatments for minors
UVA Health and VCU Health systems have suspended all gender-affirming treatments for patients under 19 years old, after receiving a written opinion Thursday from Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares. In a memo from Miyares titled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” the Republican attorney general referred to President Donald Trump’s executive order iss[...]
16 Va. companies receive LGBTQ inclusivity awards
Sixteen Virginia companies received the top score in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index, released in November. Nationally, more than 1,384 companies, including 378 Fortune 500 companies, participated in the organization’s 21st Corporate Equality Index (CEI) survey. Companies that do not participate in the survey but are listed in the CEI are […]
The Mailroom October 2023
Don’t say ‘Don’t Say Gay?’ I am disappointed in your June 2023 workforce article, “Pride in their work.” In it, you perpetuate misinformation that the left-leaning press has been pushing on Americans. Two specific examples: Reference to the Florida “Don’t Say Gay” law — This bill does not use the word “gay” in it, and […]
Pride in their work
When Kathryn Fessler interviewed with Altria Group Inc. in 2008, she was disappointed to learn that the Henrico County-based Fortune 500 tobacco manufacturing company didn’t have an employee resource group for LGBTQ+ employees. As an out lesbian, Fessler considered such groups a high priority when evaluating new workplaces, but she wound up taking the job […]
Hampton Roads’ LGBTQ chamber relaunches
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, Hampton Roads Business Outreach (HRBOR) is reviving its mission to empower and support LGBTQ businesses and their allies. HRBOR was established in 2006 and promotes LGBTQ influence through business ownership, workforce equality and diversity and inclusion. “We’re in a regrowth process,” says Eric Hause, HRBOR’s membership director and […]
Northam signs LGBTQ protections into law
Gov. Ralph Northam announced Saturday that he has signed the Virginia Values Act into law, making Virginia the first Southern state to pass sweeping anti-discrimination laws protecting the LGBTQ community. The act, which passed the Democratic-majority General Assembly in February and goes into effect July 1, prohibits discrimination in housing, employment, public spaces and credit […]
LGBTQ Groups Celebrate Passage of ‘Historic’ Virginia Values Act
RICHMOND, Va. — Legislators wore rainbow, heart-shaped stickers Thursday as the House and Senate passed the Virginia Values Act. LGBTQ advocacy groups and lawmakers held a press conference in anticipation of what they called, “a historic moment after a years-long battle.” Senate Bill 868, patroned by Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, and House Bill 1663, patroned […]
More than 30 Va. employers send letter to lawmakers asking for LGBTQ protections
More than 30 Virginia employers — including Altria Group Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Capital One Financial Corp. and Dominion Energy — on Monday sent a letter to Virginia lawmakers asking for comprehensive lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) nondiscrimination protections. The letter addressed to House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, and Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw[...]
Subcommittee advances bill prohibiting LGBTQ discrimination
RICHMOND — A General Assembly subcommittee advanced a bill Thursday that would prevent discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in housing, public accommodations, employment and credit applications. Lawmakers suggested expanding the focus of a bill introduced by Del. Delores McQuinn, D-Richmond, that would update the Virginia Fair Housing act to prevent […]
